BC President Richard Carvajal said the students deserve congratulations, and then cited the tennis shoe-maker Adidas’ commercial campaign.

"Impossible is not a fact. It is an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It is a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing," Dr. Carvajal said.

Carvajal added that all the students had overcome what had probably at one time seemed impossible in order to complete their degrees.

Five LPN students were honored with special recognitions.

Valerie Cross from Donalsonville, and Dominique Washington and Destiny Washington, both from Bainbridge, were honored with the Rose Bud Award, which recognizes the most improved students.

Tammy Faircloth of Colquitt, on the left, is awarded the Academic Award by Lorie Barrow, interim LPN and Allied Health director

The Team Award was given to Kim Anderson from Colquitt.

Tammy Faircloth from Colquitt was honored with the Academic Excellence Award.

The Most Supportive Award was given to DeAmbra Thompson from Coleman.

The Leadership Award was given to Arlesa Anderson from Attapulgus.

As each student walked across the stage to receive their pin, a short note written by the students were read aloud by Joan Simpson, dean of BC Early County Center, or Dr. Adria Belk, chair of BC’s Technical Studies Division. Many of the notes expressed gratitude to the students’ families and friends who supported them during their college tenure.

Dr. Tonya Strickland, Vice President for Academic Affairs, congratulated the students and said there are many professions that require a person’s heart and mind, but nursing is the only profession requiring a person’s heart, mind and feet.

Taking the Nightingale Pledge at the conclusion of the LPN pinning ceremony are, from the left, Kia Williams from Bainbridge, Annitra Waymon from Fort Gaines and Dominique Washington from Bainbridge.

LPN gradate Kim Anderson concluded the ceremony by leading her fellow graduates in the Nightingale Pledge, which is a modified “Hippocratic Oath” composed in 1893.